STORY HIGHLIGHTS

A suicide bomber killed at least 7 people, including four police officers, in an attack near a checkpoint in the Pakistani city of Quetta, officials told Reuters. So far, 15 people have been wounded.

The explosion took place near the Inspector General of Police (IGP),and went off when officers went to search the car. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The director general of police in the state of Baluchistan that it appeared like the bombed had detonated a car filled with explosives

"Seven dead bodies have been brought to the Civil Hospital in Quetta and at least five people are in critical condition," Cheema said.

Nine security officials were wounded, said a doctor at the Civic Hospital.

"It's possible the IG office was the target, or the assailants were trying to enter the (army) cantonment which is close by," said an official.

Television footage showed emergency services rushing to the scene, which was covered in debris, while security officials cordoned off the area.

Background

Quetta is about 100 km (60 miles) east of the border with Afghanistan and is the capital of Baluchistan, which has been plagued by militant violence. The province is the base of a separatist movement as well as home to the Taliban and other militant Islamist groups.

It is also at the centre of Chinese-backed "Belt and Road" development projects worth $57 billion that first focused on Chinese firms building roads and power stations but is now expanding to include setting up industries.

Militants from the Islamic State group abducted and killed two Chinese nationals in Quetta last month.

That attack prompted Pakistan to boost security around Chinese nationals and other foreigners in the province, which is already one of the most militarised regions in the country.